Funny how a simple thing like approaching a familiar destination from the opposite side allows you to see things in a different way.
Love this combination! Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis 'Diamond Heights' and Anigozanthos 'Amber Velvet' (and couldn't get that Anigozanthos in-focus to save my life)...
Those of you who were part of last summer's Garden Bloggers event in Portland visited this garden on a similarly hot day. Many of you reading along online have visited here with me before. If it's your first time you're in for a treat!
Yes it's my friend JJ's garden. She was open for the big Hardy Plant Society of Oregon's Study Weekend, and since I didn't make it over for a visit last year, I thought I'd drop by and see how things are looking...
Fabulous of course!
Those chairs are new! (to me)
Just like the blogger's visit there were lots of people milling about, this time not all of them had cameras however.
I overheard the usual "too much orange/looks like Halloween" comment. I just don't get it. How can a scene with all that green foliage be Halloween-like!?
I want french doors off my bedroom so bad! And a little deck like this or even smaller, just enough room for a chair.
Headed around to the back of the house...
Romneya coulteri, Agave colorata, Magnolia laevifolia, Leucadendron 'Ebony' and Anigozanthos 'Amber Velvet' (just to name five)...is it any wonder I love this garden?
I wonder if Dan Hinkley loved it too? (that's him being caressed by the Stipa gigantea)
I also took the plunge and put a Leucadendron in the ground this year, it's grown fantastically!
The carnivorous corner...
This image just makes me smile! Last time I was here (can't believe I missed last year) the hedge wasn't even 5ft tall, now it's a picture-perfect backdrop.
Those carnivorous plants are so darn big! (and that's a good thing)
Agave macroacantha, is it not just gorgeous?
Why hang just one Tillandsia Xerographica when you can hang four?
I'd have one of these hanging off the side our house, if my husband wasn't such a fanatic about not putting holes in our siding...
Check out the red Passionflower blooms! And the blue berries on the Dianella...
I took three or four trips around the garden, and I'm still not sure I saw it all.
For example I was so interested in the planters I didn't notice how many of the plants here were blooming until editing my photos.
I've finally joined JJ and Jose at the table, the crowds have thinned, and I'm still snapping photos!
Thanks for a beautiful afternoon in your garden JJ!
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Thanks for showing JJ's garden again. When I was there it was packed with people, and so hard to get good photos. It's one of those gardens that I'd really like to be there alone, to take my time and really focus, both my attention and my camera.
ReplyDeleteShe's opening again this month, check your HPSO open gardens book. I know what you mean about packed with people, Floramagoria was insane. I felt bad for anyone who hadn't seen it before as it was nearly impossible to get a good look at anything when I was there on Sunday.
DeleteOverall, though, a lot of chartreuse. The orange is well used to set if off, sometimes but much less often, maroon is, too. I like it that it is so well conceived with just one brilliant color rather than the usual hodgepodge of mixed colors. Orange goes well with the brick and terra cotta. Not at all halloweeny, more like carrotty as hinted at by that delightful gate. Some beautiful and unusual combinations here. I especailly like the Euphorbia tirucalli and Lotus 'Parrot's Beak'.
ReplyDeleteI came home convinced that I needed to replicate that Euphorbia tirucalli and Lotus 'Parrot's Beak' combo, isn't it great? I do appreciate your term "carrotty" - quite perfect.
DeleteJJ's garden keeps on getting better, so keep on going back and showing us all over again. It's so colorful and fun. The faux bois chairs are a great classic addition. I see she still uses a lot of "twos" even placing four tillandsia instead of 3 or 5. It works so well in her garden!
ReplyDeleteYes! I noticed that too, lots of pairs rather than having to stick to the odd-numbers rule. I'll have to ask her about that, if it translates to the work she does for clients as well.
DeleteNothing halloween about this garden, all plants and fun! We love this garden, so fun and inspiring and not surprised at all that you love it too! You can go back every year and see setting different each time.
ReplyDelete"all plants and fun"...that's a great way to sum it up!
DeleteAnd now I'm asking myself why, after seeing JJ's garden last year, I didn't plant any silver ponyfoot this year. Why? I think I can detect some changes, like the gravel/hosta sitting area in the front looks larger than I remember, but it could be the camera angle. And I know those silver trash cans had ozothamnus in them last year with the trailing ponyfoot. I seriously covet that folding metal table with the baby's head planter. Do you know a source? It was sooo much fun touring this garden with Annette!
ReplyDeleteOh I bet you and Annette had a blast here! I think that table came from JJ's shop. I bet she'd be happy to order one for you if they're still available.
DeleteI didn't get to see this one at the Fling, but I've seen so many photos of it now I can safely say: I love this garden! Too much orange? Without the orange they'd say "too much green -- looks like St. Patrick's Day"? :)
ReplyDeleteOh man...bummer that you missed it. But I guess lots of photo tours are the next best thing. And yes, people will always find something to criticize.
DeleteIt was claustrophobic when I was there and really hard to get a decent shot of anything. Glad you were able to wait it out. I still felt like a kid in a candy shop, Just loved her style. I'll be looking forward to how your planted Leucadendron does. I'm about ready to drop kick mine to the curb and plant it maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably cave and dig my Leucadendron before cold weather. Probably. Then again, it might be fun to see what happens...
DeleteAnyone know what kind of fern that is in the 7th photo?
ReplyDeleteAs usual great pictures of beautiful plants.
Great question, I was wondering too...anybody?
DeleteI'm pretty sure that it's Polystichum setiferum.
DeleteThanks rickii!
DeleteI loved this garden last year, and I love it still. It's one of the most unique garden I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI took a lot of photos last year but I still missed many things. Thank you for your many wonderful photos. They brought back great memories.
"one of the most unique gardens"...yes! That's so true. Reflective of her over-the-top style and passion for what she does.
DeleteGorgeous garden! Love it.
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteGreat garden and awesome plants!!! even having been there it is still wonderful to see it again.
ReplyDeleteIt never gets old, trust me.
DeleteWhat a spectacular garden. I imagine an extended visit would be necessary to take it all in.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, or repeated visits.
DeleteAnigozanthos are famously photo-shy. This garden deserves repeats coverage - it's truly wonderful. There are even vignettes that would work in my climate so I may bookmark this post. What is that Leucadendron? It looks a little like 'Jester' but it's not as pink as the one in my own garden.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to ask JJ for ID on the Leucadendron, it did seem a little muted, which I actually liked.
DeleteI do remember this from the Portland Fling.Amazing garden, I especially loved all the creative containers.
ReplyDeleteSome year I'm going to visit in the dead of winter to see what it looks like.
DeleteYour photos are about a million times better than those I took last summer ! What a unique and inspired garden. How does one prepare for a garden visit from Dan Hinkley ?? Yikes !
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time I visited with a high cloud cover (which was the only reason I could bear to be there, the clouds kept it in the 90's rather than the 100's) which allowed for much better photography! And yes...Dan Hinkley, right? I saw him the next day too at Floramagoria.
DeleteI do remember people posting about this garden after the Fling last year. This post reconfirms the impression that just about anything will grow in Portland, which seemed to be the case in London, too. I love all the succulents ... and the carnivorous plants! I wonder how many mosquitoes they consume each day. ;-) Forgive me if you mentioned this and I missed it, but why the chicken wire around some of the structures? Will they be planted with succulents, like we saw at the Toronto Botanical Garden?
ReplyDeleteWell, to be honest a lot of what is growing here will not live through the winter. The owner is all for gardening in the moment. The chicken wire is part of the structure, acting as the gabion walls - holding the cement rather than rocks.
DeleteLooks great, even better than last year. Fun to see it again--thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteYa, know. All in a day's work for a blogger.
DeleteI can see why you love this garden. It's irreverent, fun, full of personality and the plants.....so many wonderful plants at their best! Everything looks utterly amazing. If only I were in Portland, it would be a great garden to see in person, Matt
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it is a garden not to be missed - when one has the chance. Glad you enjoyed your virtual visit.
DeleteLoved the orange, especially where it is combined with burgandy foliage. What a treat!
ReplyDeleteIt's an inspired combination isn't it?
DeleteThis is one of my favorite gardens, too. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of what it looks like this year. It's amazing how much changes from year to year. While the orange and black are great, I still like the orange and blue of past years. My day is complete!
ReplyDeleteThe blue was fun wasn't it? Remind me what it was when you guys visited last year, I can't remember!
DeleteLove this fantastic garden. Too much orange? Get outta here -- it's PERFECT. Thanks for the awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteI've seen millions of images of chairs/seating spots in gardens, but not all of them really look as if you'd just love to plop down with a book or laptop or mug of tea. One of the first things I noticed, as I scrolled through these photos (exactly like a kid in a candy shop), was how genuinely inviting the chairs and benches and chaises look. Think I'll take a nap under striped umbrella #1...
You're so right, any one of them would be a great place to spend an afternoon. Nothing awkward or "forced" about them. And you should! (the nap)
DeleteI use 2's, 4's and not just odd #s...it's how even #s are used, like in JJ's. I don't know where to start on this stunning garden, so I'll finish - one of the best uses of color, form, hardscape and planting I've seen - anywhere. Thanks, Danger!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind words! I'll make sure she hears the compliment.
DeleteThis garden is crazy-good.
ReplyDeleteYes! Come to Portland sometime Amy, I'll happily tour you around.
DeleteIt is a lovely garden. My OH woud say you can nver have too much orange, she is a big fan. So funny you posting a picture of Tillandsia Xerographica , my latest post is about my new one, which I first saw in this blog and have been searching for every since.
ReplyDeleteOrange fans are good people, an congrats on the Xerographica!
DeleteAh, it's like the Fling again! I am dying of envy that you get to see this garden once a year, or more. JJ is an amazingly creative gardener with a great sense of style and fun.
ReplyDeleteYou're Flinging all over again...or is it the Fling that just won't die?
DeleteI'm not an orange girl even a little bit, but this place is fanTASTIC!
ReplyDeleteIt is!
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are not already ;) Cheers!
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures
ReplyDeleteon this blog loading? I'm trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.